A vow towards unbreakable friendship! 'India-France relation has stood test of time', PM Modi spiels the Indians in France

Paris, August 23: “The friendship between India and France is unbreakable. The relationship India and France share is more than just friendship and it has stood the test of time”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the Indian community in Paris after a warm discussion with the French President last night.

 

Modi, who is in France ahead of the G7 Summit, held one on one talks with French President Emmanuel Macron where the two world leaders discussed Kashmir among other issues. “India and Pakistan should resolve the Kashmir issue bilaterally and no third party should interfere or incite violence in the region”, Macron said after the talks.

He also believed that it was the responsibility of both India and Pakistan to avoid any deterioration on the ground which could lead to an escalation. “France would remain attentive to ensure the interests and rights of the civilian populations”, he assured.

Meanwhile, PM Modi said that the relationship between the two nations was not based on any selfishness, but on solid ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity. Hailing the Indians there he further said that these days Paris was filled with the echoes of Ram as it is Bapu's 150th birth anniversary this year.

Further, enlightening the policy of New India and highlighting the tasks approved by the Modi-led government in the past 75 days, PM Modi said, “In India, the way in which action is being taken against corruption, nepotism, loot of people's money, terrorism, this has never happened before. Within 75 days of the new government coming to power, we have taken many strong decisions”.

“India's healthcare programme has become world's largest healthcare programme. The Ayushman Bharat covers more people than the entire populations of US, Canada and Mexico combined”, he added. “India and France, both have a mutual knot amidst which is that we fight challenges with a solid valour in our minds.

 

Recalling India's participation in World War 1, he said, "Thousands of Indians gave their live in a war that wasn't even theirs. India fought here in France too during World War I and 9,000 of our soldiers gave up their lives in battle. We should never forget their sacrifice”.

 

India and France's alliance can be summed up as infra, whether it's the solar infrastructure or any other form of infrastructure. "In a few days, India will become the first country to land close to the moon's south pole - an achievement that not just us Indians, but the world is proud of,” he signed off.